Which direction do people think the midlands and south tier 4 leagues should go? 9I think with the creation of the Conference South they should look at making it one level as localised as possible. But would perhaps be harsh on the likes of Birmingham and South London?

Can't speak for London but it's Birmingham's own responsibility to get their house in order to become a club that can produce a good strong team reliably over a long season rather than a team of variable quality in the RU off season. We can't build structures around the needs of one club. That goes for all clubs, including my own.

The south London area is a million miles from returning to this kind of level. RL-wise there's heaps of uncertainty with rumours of a Storm/Sharks tie-in, the new club in Beckenham and a probable new Croydon club at Storm's old landlords, Streatham-Croydon RFC ( ).

Can't speak for London but it's Birmingham's own responsibility to get their house in order to become a club that can produce a good strong team reliably over a long season rather than a team of variable quality in the RU off season. We can't build structures around the needs of one club. That goes for all clubs, including my own.

On balance I agree. Realistically Midlands Rugby League has enough clubs for 2 divisions so it's just a debate between whether they are west and east or premier and division 1. I tend towards the former.

The south London area is a million miles from returning to this kind of level. RL-wise there's heaps of uncertainty with rumours of a Storm/Sharks tie-in, the new club in Beckenham and a probable new Croydon club at Storm's old landlords, Streatham-Croydon RFC ( ).

Also east London has several clubs in the merit league who may step up to a London division (if it were split from south east), though the same point I made above with regards to how to split the midlands divisions could be applied to London and South East.

The sticking point is if Hammersmith aren't a part of the Conference South as there's no way Greenwich or Barking and Dagenham say could play them. But this is a return to Tim's point about not basing it round one club.

The south London area is a million miles from returning to this kind of level. RL-wise there's heaps of uncertainty with rumours of a Storm/Sharks tie-in, the new club in Beckenham and a probable new Croydon club at Storm's old landlords, Streatham-Croydon RFC ( ).

One issue I just thought of is will this affect the Community Shield format as this year there were 10 teams from the south but realistically once you've created Conference South there are very few tier 4 midlands or south teams you could safely send to play Fryston or Bank Quay.

One issue I just thought of is will this affect the Community Shield format as this year there were 10 teams from the south but realistically once you've created Conference South there are very few tier 4 midlands or south teams you could safely send to play Fryston or Bank Quay.

Don't think there is many tier 3 sides who would be safe either.

Carlsberg don't do Soldiers, but if they did, they would probably be Brits.